So that you became an example to all those who have faith in Christ in Macedonia and Achaia.

Waiting for his Son from heaven, who came back from the dead, even Jesus, our Saviour from the wrath to come.

But even as the good news was given to us by the approval of God, so we give it out; not as pleasing men, but God by whom our hearts are tested.

You are witnesses, with God, how holy and upright and free from all evil was our way of life among you who have faith;

So that your lives might be pleasing to God, who has given you a part in his kingdom and his glory.

And for this cause we still give praise to God, that, when the word came to your ears through us, you took it, not as the word of man, but, as it truly is, the word of God, which has living power in you who have faith.

Who put to death the Lord Jesus and the prophets, violently driving us out; who are unpleasing to God and against all men;

Who, to make the measure of their sins complete, kept us from giving the word of salvation to the Gentiles: but the wrath of God is about to come on them in the fullest degree.

Not in the passion of evil desires, like the Gentiles, who have no knowledge of God;

Whoever, then, goes against this word, goes against not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.

That you may be respected by those who are outside, and may have need of nothing.

But it is our desire, brothers, that you may be certain about those who are sleeping; so that you may have no need for sorrow, as others have who are without hope.

For if we have faith that Jesus underwent death and came back again, even so those who are sleeping will come again with him by God's power.

For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are still living at the coming of the Lord, will not go before those who are sleeping.

Then we who are still living will be taken up together with them into the clouds to see the Lord in the air: and so will we be for ever with the Lord.

For those who are sleeping do so in the night; and those who are the worse for drink are so in the night;

But let us, who are of the day, be serious, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and on our heads, the hope of salvation.

Who was put to death for us, so that, awake or sleeping, we may have a part in his life.

But we make this request to you, my brothers: give attention to those who are working among you, who are over you in the Lord to keep order among you;

God, by whom you have been marked out in his purpose, is unchanging and will make it complete.